Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (2024)

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By Natalie Monson

Published on January 10, 2023

61 Comments

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Bake a loaf of banana bread that’s so sweet, light, cakey, and comforting, no one will know it’s a healthy makeover of this classic treat. Our Healthy Banana Bread recipe uses 100% whole grains, whole milk yogurt, plus honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener (in sensible amounts!)

Is Banana Bread Healthy?

Banana bread is delicious, and easy to make. And though we may WANT to eat it for breakfast, most banana bread has the same nutrition of dessert.

Well, that was the old way. We’ve made classic, addictive banana bread healthier, without compromising on taste or texture! Our recipe is rich with sweet banana flavor and it only has a quarter cup of added honey or pure maple syrup to sweeten it just right.

Plus, we fill this bread with other nutritious ingredients like 100% whole wheat flour, yogurt, and crunchy walnuts. We don’t go crazy with added oils, either. And it still tastes absolutely wonderful, with a texture that perfectly walks that line between moist and light.

Make this Healthy Banana Bread recipe for yourself, for your kids, for your mom, or for a friend. No one will taste this sweet fluffy bread and not think you’re the best human ever for sharing it with them.

Ingredients for our Healthy Banana Bread Recipe:

Bananas– You want to make sure to use very ripe bananas when making this banana bread. It will enhance the sweetness, improve the texture, and yield a better banana flavor.
Whole Wheat Flour– to boost the nutrition of this loaf we replaced half of the flour in the original recipe with whole wheat flour.
White Whole Wheat Flour– replacing half of the whole wheat flour with white whole wheat helps to produce a lighter, fluffier banana bread.
Baking Soda– baking soda creates a softer, more tender crumb when used in banana bread.
Baking Powder– baking powder is used as a leavening agent to add nice rise to your final loaf.
Salt– enhances the flavor of your banana bread. We used kosher salt.
Maple Syrup– maple syrup adds the perfect amount of sweetness to this banana bread. It doesn’t add any overt maple flavor. Make sure you are using pure maple syrup, and not pancake syrup.
Butter– butter adds a rich, delicious flavor to the bread and helps create a more tender loaf. You can substitute coconut or other neutral oil if desired.
Yogurt– we used plain 4% Greek yogurt here.
Eggs– this recipe calls for large eggs which adds structure to the bread.
Vanilla Extract– optional, but adds a yummy flavor!

How to Make Healthy Banana Bread:

Banana bread is pretty low-fuss to begin with, and our healthy banana bread is no exception. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine them just before baking for a loaf with a fluffy, tender crumb.

More tips for great banana bread:

Be flexible when it comes to how many bananas you use. If your bananas are on the small side, four is a-OK. If you have three huge bananas, you won’t need a fourth.
You don’t NEED to use two kinds of whole wheat flour. But we like the balance of hearty and delicate that comes from a blend of white whole wheat and regular whole wheat.
To cut down on dishes, melt your butter in a big pot, then add the rest of your wet ingredients right to the pot. You can even mix in your dry ingredients in the same pot!
Don’t over-mix your batter. A few lumps here and there are okay, and actually make for a fluffier bread!
Use a light-colored or glass loaf pan to avoid excess browning. Make sure to grease it well, too.
If you prefer “single serving” banana breads, you can bake this healthy banana bread in a muffin tin. Divide the batter into muffin tin wells (we actually got 15 muffins!) and bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes.

How Ripe Should My Bananas Be?

The rule of thumb here is pretty much: the riper, the better. Got dark streaky brown bananas falling off their stems? Mash ’em up. It’s banana bread time.

What Can I Add to Banana Bread?

Walnuts are the classic add-in for healthy banana bread. You can also add dried coconut, dried cherries, other nuts (sliced almonds are good), or a half cup of dark chocolate chips for a special treat.

How Should I Store My Banana Bread?

Store banana bread in the fridge for the best flavor. It actually tastes even better on the second day!

You can also freeze extra slices of banana bread in a gallon-sized zip-top bag. They make great quick, on-the-go breakfasts or healthy lunchbox treats.

More Recipes for Banana Lovers:

Homemade Banana Pudding
Homemade Banana Chips
Double Chocolate Banana Cake
Peanut Butter Banana Bars

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3.9 from 170 votes

Healthy Banana Bread

Bake a loaf of banana bread that’s so sweet, light, cakey, and comforting, no one will know it’s a healthy makeover of this classic treat. Our healthy banana bread uses 100% whole grains, whole milk yogurt, plus honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener (in sensible amounts!)

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 184kcal

Ingredients

1 cup flour, whole wheat
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 medium bananas mashed, 2 cups total
1/3 cup honey
6 tablespoons butter melted
1/2 cup Greek yogurt, plain
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheatoven to 350°F. Grease one standard-sized loaf pan.
Combineflours, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside.
Melt butter. Add to a medium bowl with honey, yogurt, vanilla, mashed bananas, and egg. Whisk until well combined.
Stir in flour mixture; stir just until blended.
Pourinto prepared loaf pan. Bake60-70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Keyword : Healthy Banana Bread

www.superhealthykids.com

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

i love your recipes however most of these recipes contain nuts and im allergic to nuts. do you have anything for healthy snacks/meals that don’t contain nuts. plus most schools now a days are nut free.

Great idea for a category! I only put one recipe in it, but we’ll have to go back through and find more. I know we have lot’s!
https://www.superhealthykids.com/healthy-kids-recipes/category/nut-free.php

the recipe was amaze balls! loved it cx

I decided to make this delicious sounding healthy banana bread for my 15 month old but 1 hour and 40 minutes later I’m still waiting for the inside to cook! I use an oven thermometer which states 350. Any idea why?

Could you use honey instead of the agave .

@Kristin- That does not seem right! I don’t know what to tell you about that= ours only took an hour and it was all cooked through.
Erin- you could, but watch the cooking. Honey browns/burns faster than agave.

I am having same problem as Kristin, I have tried 3 times and every time the inside is still so wet its inedible hour.. Hour and half.. Two hours in oven, it just does not cook properly and im quite upset at all the ingredients I have wasted :'( I follow the recipe exactly..
Have tried loads of your recipes this is only one to fail big style. Any tips much appreciated..

Hey Laura-
of all “my” recipes, this one should actually be the most fool proof, because it was designed in the Dole test kitchens. ha ha.. other recipes have just been done in my personal kitchen.
Bummer though, I wish I knew what was happening..

No worries 🙂 its odd its so dense and weighty.
Will get trying other recipes instead! Maybe come back to it . Thanks anyway, love the site.

Any way of making this version gluten free?

Prefer the first recipe if margerine was replaced with grass fed butter. Agave is not at all healthy:-(

Can you tell me how many cups of pureed banana would that be? Bananas are all different shapes and I have about 10 in my freezer to be used right away and they are large in size. So a weight or cup measurement would be.so much help. Thank u so much

This looks yummy…. but no way would one loaf be cut into 24 servings!! ??. Maybe 10. Maybe. Even the way your picture shows is definitely not 24 slices. I’ll try it in mini-muffin pans for self control.

Good call Yvette! You are so right- I was just copying from the original recipe from Dole!

What is the measurement for bananas? 5 small 5 medium? If it was a per cup measurement it would turn out ok for everyone. I think those with issues of undercooked middle loads may be using too much banana

I was wondering the same as others…a cup measurement on the bananas would be super helpful

I made these as muffins and they turned out great! I halved the receipe and made about a dozen muffins at 350 for 35 mins.

Sounds delicious. Have you made it gf without using the generic gf flour? Or have any recommendations?

Hi Nat! We haven’t tried this recipe using gluten free ingredients, so I’m afraid I can’t make any recommendations on how to alter it. I found this recipe that might work for you: https://minimalistbaker.com/one-bowl-gluten-free-banana-bread/

Congratulations on the recipe! Our children loved it!

you have whole wheat flour and white whole wheat. I’m confused. Is white whole wheat the same as white flour?

Hi Jennifer, great question! White whole wheat flour is a type of 100% whole grain flour that’s simply made from a softer, more delicate type of whole wheat than regular whole wheat flour. (It’s kind of like apples… there are multiple varieties and they all have slightly different flavors and textures.) You CAN use all purpose flour in place of white whole wheat flour, but we like the white whole wheat because it retains the fiber and nutrition of whole wheat. Almost all grocery stores sell white whole wheat flour in the baking aisle or the natural foods aisle. I hope this helps!

This recipe looks great! Thank you for all of the awesome recipes posted at Super Healthy Kids!

This is a very nice banana bread. I used all whole wheat flour (I think it was white-bought in bulk) then I used honey and instead of the yogurt (cause I only had fat free) I added 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk. Very moist and delicious. Thank you!

Thanks for sharing, Maureen!

Delicious bread, thank you very much for kneading amounts.

Thank you!!!
Just made it. I used sugar free maple syrup and we couldnt even tell that we used no sugar!! We also added chocolate chips and it was so very delicious!!! Definitely keeping this one. Thanks for sharing.

What is the difference between whole wheat flour and whole wheat white flour

Hi there! White whole wheat flour and “regular” whole wheat flour are both 100% whole grain flours, they are just different varieties of wheat. (Almost like how there are different kinds of apples. 🙂 White whole wheat flour is more delicate, soft, and mild, so baked goods that use white whole wheat flour often turn out similar to those made with all purpose (white) flour. I hope this helps clear things up!

I didn’t have whole milk yogurt so used Mountain High lowfat vanilla and my loaf turned out amazing. Such a great recipe!

I’m so glad you enjoyed it Tawnya!

Halved the recipe since I only had 2 ripe bananas and 1/5 cup of honey only since instead of plain yogurt, I used half a vanilla flavored baby yogurt which was what I had on hand. Made it in a 24 cup mini muffin pan for 15 mins at 350 degrees for my son as a snack option and it was super successful – just sweet enough and plenty moist! Will def be making this again!

When you say “beat” is that with an electric mixer or just with the spoon?

We did not use an electric mixer with this recipe- a spoon or whisk will work just fine!

Is the calorie counter loaf or per serving size or per/100g?

It’s per serving, based on 8 servings per loaf. So you can adjust accordingly, depending on how you cut your loaf. 🙂

I have made this at least a dozen times now, and it is perfect every time. I use regular whole wheat flour and pure maple syrup. I add mini chocolate chips to entice the kids – they don’t have any idea it’s 100% whole wheat. Thanks for this super easy and super yummy recipe!

Thank you so much for the wonderful post.

I’m lactose intolerant what else could I use besides Greek yogurt?

You could try replacing it with applesauce.

FAQs

Is banana bread healthy or unhealthy? ›

You can certainly include banana bread in a healthy diet, but this dish should be considered a dessert. Keep in mind that not all foods are created to be healthy. For example, cakes, ice cream, and sweet breads aren't meant to be the most nutritious foods you can eat. Desserts may not be a part of your everyday diet.

Find Out More ›

Is it healthy to eat banana bread for breakfast? ›

Banana bread without refined sugar and made with wholemeal spelt flour is a great way to start the day. It's certainly better than sugar laden cereals. The only fat in my bread is olive oil and there's not a great deal of that. So the only saturated fat contained in this breakfast banana bread is from one egg.

Learn More Now ›

What to eat banana bread with? ›

There's something so comforting about a freshly baked loaf of banana bread. Enjoy banana bread on its own, simply sliced and savored at room temperature. Add a drizzle of olive oil, coconut oil, melted butter, a dollop of sour cream, or some sliced fresh fruits.

How to store banana bread? ›

It should be stored in a cool, dry place that isn't in direct sunlight. Once it is completely cool, Roszkowski says to keep banana bread fresh by placing it in an airtight container, wrapping it in plastic wrap, or even slicing it and wrapping it in plastic wrap.

Show Me More ›

Is banana bread good for losing weight? ›

Banana Bread Nutrition

One slice of banana-nut bread may contain as many as 543 calories and 25 grams of fat. If you're trying to eat between 1,200 and 1,500 calories per day -- an often recommended number for weight loss -- this slice amounts to between 36 and 45 percent of your total daily calories.

Learn More Now ›

Is banana healthy for weight loss? ›

Although there are no studies that directly examine the effects of banana on weight, they're high in fiber and low in calories. When included as part of a balance diet, bananas may help support weight loss goals. People who want to improve their health are often advised to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Show Me More ›

Is it OK to eat a banana every day for breakfast? ›

While there's no blanket rule, sticking to one to two bananas per day shouldn't cause issues for most people. With that said, remember that they are relatively high in carbohydrates, so eating them along with protein or fat is also advisable to support stable energy levels.

Discover More Details ›

Are peanut butter and bananas healthy? ›

1. Bananas and Peanut Butter. Research has found that eating peanuts benefits triglycerides and other fats in your blood and promotes healthy weight loss. 2 Bananas are a source of potassium, an essential nutrient that aids nerve and muscle function.

See Details ›

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Fight the urge to use more banana than called for in your recipe. Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

Read The Full Story ›

Should you Saran Wrap banana bread? ›

Once the loaf is fully cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap. Then, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil. This will ensure it's airtight and will keep the loaf from drying out and avoid freezer burn. Store the wrapped loaf in the freezer for up to three months.

Keep Reading ›

What are the benefits of banana bread? ›

Mood-Boosting Magic. The fiber in bananas and whole wheat flour aids digestion, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. This makes banana bread a tasty way to support digestive health.

Get More Info Here ›

Should banana bread be refrigerated after baking? ›

The best way to store banana bread is at room temperature in an airtight container. Though it will only stay fresh for about four days on the counter, this will keep your banana bread tasting the freshest.